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Burn Permits

Burn permits are required for all open burning in Sonoma County.

Regulations

Regulations for controlled burning in Sonoma County are set by the responsible air pollution control district and not by the Forestville Fire Protection District.

Two air pollution control districts have jurisdiction over different portions of the Forestville Fire Protection District: the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District (NSCAPCD) and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD).

Map of Districts (PDF)

Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District (NSCAPCD)
The majority of the Forestville Fire Protection District, from Trenton/Healdsburg Road and Laguna Road west, lies within the boundaries of the NSCAPCD. Getting a burn permit is a two step process:
  1. Obtain a Burn Permit by either mailing in a completed application (Burn Permit Application) with required fee or visiting the NSCAPCD office in person.
  2. If you live within the State Responsibility Area (SRA Viewer), and the fire season has been declared, you will need to contact Cal Fire at the Hilton Fire Station for and inspection from them before burning. Their contact is 887-1770.

For more info:
Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District
150 Matheson Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448
(707) 433-5911

Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)
A small portion of the Forestville Fire Protection District, from Trenton/Healdsburg Road and Laguna Road east, lies within the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), Burning within the BAAQMD is strictly limited to agricultural applications.  You may also refer to BAAQMD for more information.

For more info:
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
939 Ellis Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 771-6000
BAAQMD Open Burn Status

Prior to Burning

  • Read and follow the conditions printed on your permit.
  • Make the appropriate notifications as required on your permit.
  • Failure to obtain a permit or to conduct open burning in accordance with the conditions of your permit is a violation of State Law.

General Conditions

  • No burning should be undertaken unless weather conditions are such that they can reasonably be considered safe during the burn period. For example, the wind speed should be less than 10 mph.
  • Any permitted open burning must be
    • attended by at least one able-bodied adult person at all times
    • confined within cleared firebreaks or barriers adequate to prevent it from escaping control
    • regulated in size at all times to ensure proper control by the number of adult persons attending it.
  • Permits are void during suspension of burning by the Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection or the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Services due to hazardous fire conditions including Red Flag Warnings.
  • More restrictive conditions may be found on your permit or noted by the issuing agency.